a bunch of new riders appeared this past Tuesday for the UBBC ride after reading last weeks Enquirer story that focused on urban riding. I'm going to call the pace the rides happen a conversational pace. Not quite slow, but at a pace you chat with others in the group.
The Enquirer also has a bunch of good safety tips for your urban ride. And I'm going to come right and tell you to screw all those tips* If not having a helmet is going to keep you from riding your bike, screw it. Half us don't wear helmets on the ride anyhow. You're an adult, be responsible, you'll be fine.
My tip is, if you don't wear a helmet, wear a really cool cap. Bonus points for style.

we're riding across the Purple People Bridge and I hear someone ask who owns the bridge. of course the first thing I think of is Super Troopers, just like you would.
Who owns the water?
Nobody owns the water. God owns - it's God's water
guess you had to be there

the rides always end up somewhere we can grab adult beverages, this week it was rhinehaus
you know what I like about rhinehaus?
there are times you go to a bar because it’s shiny and new
there are times you go because they have a trendy mixologist
then there are times when you just want gaaa-damn cold beer
nothing goes better after after a hot ride than a cold beer
and this is the place for an unpretentious beer

all the dogs downtown/OTR are wearing down my dislike, they're growing on me. I'll probably never own one but I'm not apprehensive around them like I used to be.

* These opinions are mine, I'm just a blogger with a bike and not one of the UBBC organizers.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

Rode my bike to/from work yesterday. Someone in a beat up Toyota didn't like my riding and called me a cracker as they passed. I've been called a lot of things, but this was a first. Guess they didn't like my bike.

man oh man! telling people not to wear a helmet! you're asking for it, haha! (spoken as someone who typically only wears a helmet while mountain biking. granted my road bike doesn't even have brakes so what do i know?)and how can you not like dogs? what a good looking pup!

@kate i've been called a cracker around here (though not while riding). i've also stood in between a couple gentleman having a conversation about a 'cracker' they dealt with on the phone. that wasn't awkward at all. maybe it's a cincinnati thing. ha

For the record I'm not telling people to not wear a helmet. I'm saying if the reason that you don't ride your bike is you don't have a helmet, well then you'll probably never ride.I just think its stupid to put a bunch of rules and obstacles on something that should be fun. Lets tear down the barriers.

Here is the exact exchange between me and the reporter -- it was by email, so I am just cutting and pasting:

Q: What safety tips would you give a novice urban cyclist?

A: There's a lot of debate about helmets. I think everyone has to decide for themselves. I wear one most of the time because I've seen people fall and the helmet really made a difference. Plus, I have a cheery, bright, stripy helmet from Park + Vine that I really love to wear.

Make sure you have lights and a bell on your bike. Don't ride without them. They are required by law too.

Know the rules of the road and follow them. (The city has a handy brochure http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bikes/bike-laws/)